Review - Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

Looking over my review of EverneathI think I may have over-rated it, it wasn't the best debut of the series, a collection of questions that left unanswered that I was a little disappointed but not overly surprised at the ending of the first instalment. But Everbound proved to be an uplifting sequel to the series.

The plotline in the sequel has progressed into something uncomplicated and the fluency was much more consistent with that of the characters and the times. The integration of the various flashbacks somehow wove in each other much more concisely than it did in Everbound. But what I loved the most is that Brodi's written style has improved drastically thus painting a more dynamic and exciting description of the Everneath. Nikki's perspective of the underworld was somewhat vague in Everneath as we, the readers were set on the Surface. I'm a bit of a Greek Mythology fan so when Brodi included the Labyrinth and various other aspects it just flowed that much better. As a sequel but also a middle instalment you would think it would decrease in your expectation but in my eyes it heightened them instead.

As main protagonists go, I found she is one that I dislike the most so far. Nikki's character annoyed me slightly, her sacrifice to save Jack did admire me however it what such a cliché that it didn't overly excite me as much. She is determined, to save Jack and as a survivor of the Everneath she has much more power than she letting on. Though now, looking over the book in my head I just find her so incredibly... weak!? (Is that inaccurate?!) What I found more exciting was the glimpse into a love triangle. As many of you all know love triangles can either work brilliantly or not at all, and I think Brodi really did add it in really well. It was inevitable that she would combine both boys into her life but which is the better suitor Jack or Cole? Is it like a Stefan or Damon or Jacob and Edward? I for one is more inclined to Cole. His character is brilliantly developed as it progresses through the book, his emotionless front is only a deception against the more caring, intriguing character that you learn to love more.

Alongside Cole, as secondary characters go, they were the more humorous of the bunch. Max and Ashe were the back-up, but what I loved was Max's bluntness and charisma when he 'kicks her out' of the Surface quite literally. Ashe has a depth of character, skin the colour of smoke, for me he symbolically shows that he is the age of time. This novel explicitly highlights the romance between Jack and Nikki and the distinct impression of something deeper between herself and Cole. The flashbacks present a emotional attachment and some very heartbreaking scenes of their life together. However, it does progress the character's emotions and the combination of their individual stories. But for me the best part was when the end arrives, and it was a total shocker! I didn't foresee this which increased my excitement for the next book even more.

This may sound like a negative review from the beginning but its only an observation on the characters, specifically Nikki, not a book as a whole. Overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable read and one that prepares me for the (hopeful) excitement left to come in the final instalment.

Thank you to Sam (Realm of Fiction) for letting me borrow her copy of Everbound for me to review!

9 comments

Emma, your review is so balanced! I've seen nothing but over-enthusiastically positive reviews for this, so I'm glad I read this as I can now go into it expected flaws alongside a heavy dose of entertainment. As far as sequels go, and especially MBS, it seems to be quite good, so I'm excited to give it a go! :)

I have really liked this series so far, I read the novella Neverfall and I really liked it, it gave so much more insight into Cole's character and when I read this one it has definitely given me a different outlook going into this book.

I often overrate books that have a big emotional scene toward the end and then change my mind afterwards. I totally get that. My bestie Lisa liked the first book a lot so i recently bought the audio, but after your review, I'll be ready for any inconsistencies. Great review, thank you!

I don't know if I'd necessarily feel that Cole is the best choice but I think he'd be my preference. And I totally agree about the ending, total shocker, I didn't see it coming either. Great review Emma :)

You know I'm not a fan of love triangles, but this one worked well enough for me, too! I suppose it was less frustrating as Nikki wasn't torn between the two boys (and was pretty much set on Jack) and that was a huge relief. Now that I think about it, I reckon I over-rated with Everneath too, though I did really like this sequel. Fantastic review, Emma! :)

I really need to read this series! Everneath sounds brilliant and I have definitely heard so many great things about this series. I'm glad you enjoyed the sequel and I hope the final instalment just as much!

Sam is such a nice person! Yay for borrowing books :D Fantastic review, thanks for sharing.

Eeeeeeeee! EMMA! E V E R B O U N D! I am so SOOOO excited to read this.Hmmmm, I think your review is FASCINATING. I, too, love the premise, the ideas, but... Nikki *ISN'T* the most lovable character. I think it says a lot that you can enjoy the book *despite* that, though :D

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About Me

Hi I'm Emma and I'm a 20- something year old bookworm. A Secondary School Librarian by day, introducing young readers to the wonder of the literary world. A Reader/blogger by night, reading my favourites including Holly Bourne, Lisa Heathfield, Shea Ernshaw, Sarah J.Maas, Emily Suvada and many more. What I love is that I continue to discover new authors everyday. I was honoured to be Shortlisted for Champion of Social Media UKYABA 2018! Please do read the ramblings of all the books I discover in my little corner of the internet. Feel free to say hi to me on Twitter and Instagram too below. Never Judge a Book by it's Cover established in 2012